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Category Archives: Consumer affairs
Our awkward vehicle specifications
Ronnie Cohen looks at some consequences for the motorist of the UK’s measurement muddle. Likes(9)Dislikes(2)
Micro metric measurements in everyday products
SI is capable of measuring anything from the tiniest particles to the largest objects in the universe. While it may sound technical and scientific, there are practical benefits of tiny measurements in some everyday products. Here, Ronnie Cohen takes a … Continue reading
Posted in Consumer affairs, Science, Technical
Tagged micro, miniature, nano, nanotechnology, products, scale, tiny
9 Comments
An unnatural foot
Ronnie Cohen looks at the tenuous link between the imperial foot and human feet. Likes(9)Dislikes(0)
Posted in Consumer affairs, Myths
Tagged foot, human, imperial, imperial measures, natural, shoe, shoes, size, sizes
14 Comments
Covid-19, weight and your bathroom scales
Reports of a possible link between obesity and morbidity have prompted one of our occasional contributors, Martin Vlietstra, to look at issues around measuring body weight in the home. Likes(11)Dislikes(0)
The “traditional” pint
It seems it will be a while before we are able to return to the pub and enjoy our favourite tipple while socialising with our friends. In the mean time, Metric Views points to a paradox that some may wish … Continue reading
Posted in Consumer affairs, General, History, Law, Myths
Tagged beer, imperial measures, litre, pint
23 Comments
Watch “Decimalisation (1970)” on YouTube
Our last article, on the subject of the decimal currency changeover in 1971, attracted several comments from our readers, one of which drew to attention to a film relating to the event. For technical reasons, it is not possible to post this … Continue reading
Not a blunder
We take a look at the changeover to decimal currency which occurred almost 50 years ago, and ask if there are any lessons to be learned that will help resolve the UK’s current measurement muddle. Likes(7)Dislikes(0)
Posted in Consumer affairs, General, History
Tagged blunder, decimal currency, decimalisation, Government policy, metric measures, metrication
7 Comments
Our common measurement language
One of the most important, and perhaps surprising, human achievements during the nineteen and twentieth centuries was the adoption around the world of a common language of measurement. Ronnie Cohen provides an illustration of the benefits this can bring. Likes(17)Dislikes(0)
Posted in Consumer affairs, Technical
Tagged measurement units, metric, product descriptions
15 Comments
Muddled measures in car brochures
One of the last bastions of imperial units is our road network and hence car manufacturers’ marketing campaigns. Ronnie Cohen has been looking at some their promotional material. Likes(15)Dislikes(2)
Posted in Consumer affairs, Road signs, Technical, Transport
Tagged car brochures, Department for Transport, DfT, dual-unit, electric vehicle, EV, imperial measures, metric, Road signs
3 Comments
Metric reminders for your holiday
As we approach the summer holiday season, Ronnie Cohen looks at the familiar metric units that we are likely to encounter wherever we go on holiday. And, yes, that includes the USA, although its exceptionalism is likely to provide us with a few problems. … Continue reading
Posted in Consumer affairs, General, Health, Sport, Transport, Views from abroad
Tagged abroad, familiar, foreign, holiday, measurement units, metric, season, unit, units
6 Comments